St. Paul's senior citizen homes Continues Vaccination Clinics
Paul Rudy: All right. County officials recently approved COVID vaccinations for individuals aged 75 years and older. Joining us now to discuss the latest on vaccinations and the implicate implementation for seniors as St. Paul senior services, C E O Cheryl Wilson. Good morning, Cheryl.
Cheryl Wilson: Good morning, how are you Paul?
Paul Rudy: Or, you know, it's a historic day. And I thought maybe we would work backwards in this conversation as we see the new administration coming in. How is that going to change the vaccination protocol dispersal?
Cheryl Wilson: Well, in the short term, I don't think it really will, uhm.. here in San Diego, for us at least it's been going very well.
We've just today we'll complete our sixth clinic. Uh, all of our seniors will have been vaccinated as of yesterday. And, uh, 50% of our staff have been vaccinated as of yesterday. Today, we start our second clinic, uh, where many of us will get our second and final shot. So, it's all good for us here at St. Paul's Senior Services.
Paul Rudy: So that it.. then that means, uh, as far as, uh, adverse reactions and whatnot, you're not seeing a lot of that?
Cheryl Wilson: We have really seen none.
Paul Rudy: Oh, I'm sorry. They were talking to my ear. Could you say that again Cheryl?
Cheryl Wilson: We have seen no ah adverse reactions.
Paul Rudy: Oh great!
Cheryl Wilson: We've had a couple of sore arms. Um, a couple of people have been anxious, uh, during and after the shot, but you know, you get them to breathe into a bag and they fine, so no real reactions.
Paul Rudy: Allright! Well, that's good. And obviously, whatever it is today on a Wednesday, a week from today, it's going to be a little bit better and a little bit better as, as we continue to ramp things up or at least is that your viewpoint?
Cheryl Wilson: I absolutely agree. And once the community, uh, centers such as Grossmont Hospital, Petco Park and others around the round, the County open up, um, it's going to be a lot easier.
People are very anxious as you saw with Petco. And they said 75 and up age group can get vaccinated. I mean, they stormed the Gates. So, people are anxious to get the vaccine. We just need to make sure that the sites are available and that they have enough vaccine to actually inject into people's arms.
Paul Rudy: So once a senior citizen gets vaccinated, does that necessarily mean the coast is clear they're out of the woods as it relates to COVID-1?
Cheryl Wilson: You know, the science doesn't tell us that we can still not be spread as, so even once we've had the second vaccine. Which I will get today. Um, I still need to wear my mask and be very careful, sanitized, stay six feet apart, et cetera, because I can still be a carrier and I can still infect somebody who may not have had the shot.
Paul Rudy: As we wrap this up, Cheryl, what is your message to seniors who are waiting in line wanting to be the next to get the vaccine?
Cheryl Wilson: For those of you who are not able to go to a site, call your doctor. If you are homebound and have medical issues, call your physician and arrange to get the shot. Getting it to those people who are home bound, the seniors who cannot get out and about that is going to be our next biggest challenge.
Paul Rudy: Cheryl Wilson, uh, on a very busy day of news, as it relates to the inauguration, we appreciate you squeeze in with us and delivering those important messages.
Cheryl Wilson: Thank you.